The two chatted and laughed, playfully teasing each other, until they finally reached the street. The street was crowded, and Huo Qingfeng, afraid of bumping into his wife, held her tightly to shield her from the crowd. Because he had to be mindful of their surroundings, he didn't have the energy to joke around with her anymore.
In the end, Huo Qingfeng made the decision and chose a restaurant in Z City with a particularly quiet environment, mid-to-high-end, and good reputation.
Ling Ruoke followed Huo Qingfeng inside. It was lunchtime, so the restaurant was quite crowded. The decor was very elegant, and being in such an environment immediately put one in a good mood. If there was also delicious and fragrant food, that would be even better.
"How is it?" Huo Qingfeng asked in a low voice, noticing his wife's expression.
Ling Ruoke nodded, her gaze still taking in her surroundings. The tables were spaced far apart, forming a wide band. Along this band, green potted plants formed a circle, dividing each table into a secluded space with only a small doorway for entry and exit. The potted plants were about 1.2 meters tall, meaning that unless someone was exceptionally tall, they could only see half the heads of people at the next table, not their entire faces. This, to some extent, protected privacy and made dining more comfortable. And clearly, this was a major reason why the place was so popular despite its relatively high prices.
They hadn't made a reservation, and fortunately, the restaurant wasn't completely full, although there were no window seats available. In the end, they could only find a corner table with a less-than-ideal view. However, they wanted a quiet lunch, so they didn't mind.
"A pot of Tieguanyin tea, please." Huo Qingfeng ordered the tea and handed the menu to Ling Ruoke. "Wife, see what you want to eat. Today you're in charge, I'll do whatever you say."
The waiter was right there, and he still spoke so casually.
Ling Ruoke gave him a small glare, then flipped open the menu and started looking at it seriously. The photos on the menu looked good, but she wondered how the food was actually made. "Have you been here before? If you have, you order. I don't know which dishes are good."
“Okay, let’s see what your husband does.” She said, raising an eyebrow.
The waiter looked at them with a smile.
Ling Ruoke blushed, lowered her head to unpack the tableware, and then arranged them one by one. She then took Huo Qingfeng's set and arranged it as well.
"My wife is so virtuous, isn't she?" Huo Qingfeng suddenly closed the menu and said, glancing at the waiter.
The waiter, of course, nodded with a smile.
Ling Ruoke kicked him under the table, signaling him to tone it down. This was a public place; what about his image? But she forgot that her colonel never cared about his appearance when he was in civilian clothes.
Huo Qingfeng smiled and quickly ordered the dishes, then sent the waiter away.
As soon as the waiter disappeared, Ling Ruoke couldn't help but say, "I've realized now that once you take off that military uniform, you lose all your composure!"
"I thought you were going to say, honey, that you're a hooligan once you take off that military uniform." It seems you think that's a very high compliment.
"I was just using a euphemistic way of putting it, but it's exactly what you meant," Ling Ruoke said with a smile.
Huo Qingfeng leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "In the army, when I take off my uniform, I fantasize about being a pervert to my wife. At home, when I take off my uniform, I actually bewitch my wife. So, wife, what you said is absolutely right, and I wholeheartedly support it!"
"How can you be so shameless!" Ling Ruoke was truly exasperated, raising her hand to pinch his chin. The prickly stubble left a slightly itchy sensation in her palm.
"What's a thick skin? If it makes your wife happy, you can throw away all your pride! That's what a real man is, right?" He smiled knowingly, his eyes full of teasing that made one blush.
Ling Ruoke chuckled. This was her colonel. He never cared about saving face just to make her laugh. Touched, she moved to his side and leaned on his shoulder. "Huo Qingfeng, you're so good to me!"
Huo Qingfeng glanced around, guessing that the waiter wouldn't be back anytime soon, and pulled her close, sealing his teasing lips with a kiss.
"Mmm..." Ling Ruoke didn't forget that she was in a restaurant, and her body stiffened instantly in fright. But the colonel's large hand gripped her lower back tightly, and she couldn't escape at all.
Huo Qingfeng didn't forget they were in a public place, and he didn't get completely carried away with the kiss. When he released her, his thumb still lingered intimately on her lips.
Ling Ruoke's face turned as red as a ripe tomato. She glared shyly at the colonel, and seeing that he was about to kiss her again, she stood up and ran away. She dragged the chair back and dared not approach him again.
Huo Qingfeng looked at his wife's face, as delicate as flower petals, and her lips, as sweet as peaches, and felt very satisfied. "Wife?"
Ling Ruoke ignored him, picked up the teapot, and poured herself some tea. She lowered her eyes and sipped her tea, deciding never to speak to him again. This guy was the epitome of someone who would become overjoyed at the slightest bit of kindness!
"Wife?" After the waiter left, Huo Qingfeng called out again in a fawning tone, looking very aggrieved.
Ling Ruoke picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of food into her bowl, and let it cool. When the colonel called her again, she stuffed the food into his mouth. "Eat your food, and don't talk nonsense!"
"Mmm, delicious!" Huo Qingfeng smiled, his gaze never leaving his wife.
Ling Ruoke smiled faintly as she looked at him. The two then began to eat seriously, exchanging a few words now and then, mostly about Xiao Fu'an or their godson. It was a habit they'd developed during training—they ate faster than most people.
They hadn't paid much attention to who was sitting next to them, as the other person had been eating and hadn't been talking much. So, just as they were finishing their meal, they suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice, and they exchanged a slightly surprised glance.
The tables were spaced quite far apart, so most people wouldn't be able to hear what was being said in normal conversation. However, Huo Qingfeng and Ling Ruoke had exceptionally good hearing, so they could vaguely hear what was being said.
After a while, they confirmed that it was indeed someone they knew—Gu Miaomiao.
Indeed, sitting next to them were Gu Miaomiao and her husband, Xuan Yuanjinan. They had only arrived a little earlier than Huo Qingfeng and Ling Ruoke.
Gu Miaomiao had taken the initiative to invite Xuan Yuanjinan out for this meal; the two of them needed to talk. Because she was also quite troubled, she didn't speak at first. Only after the meal was nearly over did Gu Miaomiao put down her chopsticks and express her thoughts.
Gu Miaomiao was still as thin and haggard as ever, but the lifeless feeling seemed to have faded. When you can't figure things out, all sorts of worries weigh on your mind, how can you not feel dejected? But once you figure things out, even if Mount Tai is pressing down on you, you can grit your teeth and get through it.
Gu Miaomiao looked at the man before her. He was already in his thirties, yet still so handsome. Coupled with his background and talent, it was no wonder he was the object of many women's affections. How could she, Gu Miaomiao, possibly hold onto such a man? Besides, he had never loved her. Taking a deep breath, she smiled slightly. "Xuan Yuan Jinan, let's get a divorce."
A flicker of astonishment crossed Xuan Yuan Jinan's eyes. He was genuinely shocked by Gu Miaomiao's sudden change in attitude. Judging from her previous behavior, it seemed as if she would cling to the position of the domineering Mrs. Xuan Yuan until her dying breath.
Shocked, he couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. The woman before him was utterly haggard; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was unrecognizable as a human. But he still remembered her on their wedding night—a simple, vibrant young girl. In just over a year, she had become so utterly ruined.
Every time Gu Miaomiao argued or quarreled with him because of his other women, he was impatient and didn't even glance at her. Until this moment, a flicker of what seemed like guilt suddenly crossed his mind. "Why?"
Gu Miaomiao held her teacup, looking at the brown liquid inside with a faint, bitter yet resolute smile. Perhaps it was the fact that she was no longer alone that gave her strength. Her hand, hidden under the table, unconsciously rested on her stomach. She smiled again, slowly raising her head to look directly into his eyes.
“I used to not understand how things could turn out like this when we were so in love one moment. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that the so-called love was just wishful thinking on my part. You never loved me, not even a little bit. You like to play games with men and women and you like to change your partners. I was just one of your partners. The only difference is that I was bound by the constraints of marriage.”
Gu Miaomiao smiled bitterly and shook her head, seemingly helpless at her own ridiculousness. Her gaze appeared to be on Xuan Yuanjinan, but it was actually unfocused and wandering. She was in her own world.
“I was very resentful before. What was wrong with me? Why did you treat me like this? Even now, I still don’t understand. But I’ve figured out something else. Do you know how old I am this year? I’m just over twenty, which is the best age for a girl. I still have the best years of my youth. I shouldn’t waste my time on a man who doesn’t love me, and I shouldn’t ruin myself for him.”
Gu Miaomiao paused for a moment, slowly regaining her senses, and looked into Xuan Yuanjinan's eyes again. "So, Xuan Yuanjinan, let's get a divorce. I believe I will definitely meet a man who cherishes me and we can build a warm family together. And you can continue your philandering ways, and no foolish woman will ever be a stumbling block for you again."
Xuan Yuan Jinan knew exactly what he wanted; he knew from the beginning that Gu Miaomiao wasn't the woman he wanted. Or rather, he never considered settling down for a woman! Perhaps Gu Miaomiao was right; he just enjoyed this game, and he always played it happily. Later, Gu Miaomiao's crying and fussing did annoy him, even causing him to be disciplined a few times by his family. He simply didn't want to see her to avoid the headache.
But now, this woman sat before him, her face haggard but her gaze resolute, demanding a divorce. He wasn't overjoyed or relieved; instead, his feelings were incredibly complex. "What about the children? You need to understand, it'll be very difficult for you to marry a good man with children in your life."
Gu Miaomiao smiled again, slowly lowering her head to hide the tears in her eyes. "Take it off. A child whose own father doesn't even want him to be born won't be happy. Fortunately, he's still young and doesn't know that such a wonderful world exists."
As she spoke, Gu Miaomiao felt as if countless knives were stabbing her heart, the pain almost suffocating her. She had to open her mouth slightly, struggling to breathe. If she were to abort this child, it would be the second time she had killed her own. By planting such a seed of evil, she might never have the chance to have her own children again in this lifetime.
Gu Miaomiao, this is the mess you've made!
Gu Miaomiao almost burst into tears, but she held them back tightly. Using the act of lowering her head to drink tea, she tried to breathe deeply, forcing the tears back. Only after she had controlled her emotions did she slowly raise her hand again.
Xuan Yuan Jinan just stared at her without saying a word. He had never experienced such a turbulent moment before, so chaotic that he felt somewhat helpless. "Miao Miao..." he called out her name, but he didn't know what he wanted to say.
"Hmm?" Gu Miaomiao responded softly, looking at him with a forced smile. Seeing his hesitation, she said understandingly, "If you're worried about Grandpa and Dad, I can talk to them myself. Don't worry, I know how to say it, and I won't make things difficult for you."
Xuanyuan Jinan didn't mean that at all, but he couldn't say it because he didn't even know what he wanted to say.
Gu Miaomiao checked the time and stood up. "I have an appointment with a friend, and it's almost time. Think it over carefully. If there are no problems, I'll talk to them tomorrow. I'll be going now, goodbye."
Xuan Yuan Jinan almost reached out to grab her, but ultimately didn't. He poured himself some tea, tilted his head back, and gulped it down like a cow. These crude actions were not something the young master Xuan Yuan would normally do.
Ling Ruoke watched Huo Qingfeng quietly sipping his tea, her heart aching terribly. She hadn't expected Gu Miaomiao to say such tragic things. Only a woman like herself could understand the sorrow in Gu Miaomiao's words. She couldn't help but wonder if things would have turned out this badly if she hadn't been there. She took a deep breath, calming herself down. "Let's pay the bill and go."
"Okay." Huo Qingfeng pressed the button and called the waiter to pay the bill. Seeing his wife's somewhat dazed expression, he didn't say anything. He knew better than anyone that his wife was kind-hearted and was probably overthinking things again.
After paying the bill, Huo Qingfeng took Ling Ruoke's hand and left the restaurant. As soon as they stepped out, he put his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear, "Gu Miaomiao's matter has nothing to do with you, don't overthink it."
Ling Ruoke smiled at him. "I know, I'm just feeling a bit sentimental. Speaking of which, Gu Miaomiao is still just a teenager, she should be at the most vibrant age, yet she's already saying such sad things."
"She is somewhat pitiful. But there are reasons for her pity as well. She shouldn't have listened to her mother in everything instead of thinking for herself. If she is immature, she will inevitably stumble and fall countless times, even if it's not in love, it will be in other things. Only in this way can she slowly understand some things. This process is inevitable, and everyone goes through it."
Huo Qingfeng didn't finish his sentence. Just like the hurt he suffered at Cangwei's hands and the loss of her parents, these cruel events made Ruoke even stronger. Everyone goes through this stage in their life; it's just a matter of when and what it will be like.
Ling Ruoke nodded, grasped his hand tightly, and intertwined her fingers with his. "You're right. At least Gu Miaomiao was able to say what she just said, which shows that she's starting to grow up and become stronger. A person who is kind-hearted and can face life with strength will always find happiness."
"Yes. Let's not talk about that. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?" Huo Qingfeng didn't want his wife to worry about other people's problems. Gu Miaomiao's situation was indeed pitiful, but it was also her own fault, and no one else could help her. He had told her long ago that she needed to learn to think for herself and not always listen to her mother. Obviously, she hadn't listened to him. Now that she was going through all this, who could she blame?
There are too many unfortunate people and things in this world. Others can only save you once. In the end, you still have to save yourself and then become strong and mature.
Ling Ruoke pouted, thought for a moment, and shook her head. "No. Let's go back to the hospital. Let's see if the report is out yet. Once we have the report, we can go home. I want to go home!" The last sentence had a slightly coquettish tone.
Huo Qingfeng lowered his head and kissed her cheek. "Okay, whatever my wife says is fine."
Ling Ruoke smiled as she looked at his handsome profile, feeling incredibly lucky. Her fingers, clasped tightly together, felt his strength and warmth, a blissful feeling melting into her heart. "Huo Qingfeng?"
"Mmm." She called out very seriously, so Huo Qingfeng also stopped his playful smile and looked at her seriously.
Ling Ruoke stopped, looking at their clasped hands, then at his deep, dark eyes, where she always saw the deep affection he held for her. "Have I ever told you that I love you, so much?" she said firmly, her face flushed.
Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly, and regardless of where they were, he cupped her face and kissed her on the lips. "I've said it before. I love you too, a love you can't even imagine."
He used to think that only sentimental words like "I love you" were uttered by young intellectuals sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution; he believed that tough men like him would only put their feelings into action. But it wasn't until he met Ruoke that he understood that when love runs deep, those three words are more than just sentimental words; they are closer to a promise. When spoken by someone who takes love seriously, they become the most beautiful and sincere promise.
Ling Ruoke hugged his waist, gazing at him affectionately in the bustling street. Meeting you was my tribulation, but also the most beautiful one.
With nowhere else to go, the two picked out a toy for Fu'an at a toy store by the roadside, and then returned to the hospital the way they came.
Autumn in Z City is quite cool. Although it was midday and the sun was high in the sky, it didn't feel scorching hot. Walking under the shade of the trees, with the autumn breeze blowing, was very pleasant.
Huo Qingfeng and Ling Ruoke walked back hand in hand, as if to digest their food. As they neared the hospital, they suddenly saw a crowd gathered on the street, chattering excitedly, as if someone had been in an accident. As a soldier, Huo Qingfeng couldn't stand idly by; it was a soldier's duty! So he let go of Ling Ruoke's hand, told her not to wander off, and pushed his way through the crowd.
Ling Ruoke squeezed in as well, but when she saw who was lying on the ground, she was shocked.
The person lying in the pool of blood was none other than Gu Miaomiao!
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